26+ Years of Volunteerism:

On February 15, 2014, the Grand Terrace Senior Center (GTSC) held its regular monthly meeting but included a special twist. The front door was emblazoned with the greeting ‘Thank You for 26 Years of Service’ and everyone knew it was all in honor of past President JoAnn Johnson. The monthly meeting was carried on with all of the official business that a regular meeting agenda would include, such as the flag salute, an opening invocation by a local pastor, and a treasurer’s report that was full of good news. But after all of the formalities were concluded, current President Jane Haines got down to the real business at hand, and that was the festivities planned to honor retired President Johnson for her 26 plus years of volunteer service. After Haines read a short biography of Johnson’s life, a bouquet of red roses was presented to the honoree by Solomon Dobynes, Vice President GTSC. Lois Hansen the Secretary of GTSC then made a presentation of a card filled with gift cards for Johnson’s favorite restaurants. Flo Elliott, a Board member of GTSC then read a poem she had written for the occasion and presented Johnson with a beautifully wrapped gift on behalf of the Board. At that time, Pastor Andy McRae of the Azure Hills Adventist Church made a special presentation of a plaque to Johnson. He told of the very first time he had met Mrs. Johnson about two years ago when he went for the very first time to open the Grand Terrace City Council meeting in prayer. He explained how Johnson had made him feel welcome and had always done so ever since that day. “I noticed as I walked down the Hall of Honors,” McRae said, noting the hallway in the Center that is covered in recognition certificates received by Johnson during her tenure at the GTSC, “I noticed that there were no honors there from any faith-based organizations, and I wanted to honor JoAnn with something to say that we recognize her spirit of service as a reflection of what is important to us as a faith-based community, and that is, Jesus. I know that for all of her years of service, Mrs. Johnson should hear the words spoken in Matthew 25, and that is, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” McRae presented Johnson with a plaque to honor her service to the community of Grand Terrace. After the presentations, the seniors were treated to musical entertainment by one of Johnson’s favorite musical duets, The Versatiles. Husband and wife team Angie La Duke and Gabe La Rosa began their set with the classic ‘Unforgettable You’ dedicated to Johnson, as the entire senior center crowd sang along or got up to take a spin on the floor. Even before the event was halfway over, Johnson had placed her rose bouquet in a vase and had them placed in the main entryway for all to enjoy. She listened intently to the songs from the Versatiles and beaming a bright smile that seems ever present on her face, said, “This has been a wonderful ride. Oh, of course, there have been bumps in the road along the way. But for today, we have arrived at this spot, and this spot is fabulous, for all of us. I am happy. I am proud.” GTSC President Jane Haines said, “JoAnn would just say to everyone, ‘Just do what needs to be done, don’t wait for someone else to do it, you do it!’ and she always led by example. We’ve appreciated every single thing she’s ever done for us, and what she’s still doing. Even though she’s retired, she’s back to help us the moment we need it!” Johnson concluded, “If something needed done in Grand Terrace, I did it. It was a lucky coincidence for the city, and it was a lucky coincidence for me, and all of that was a good thing because it’s been what my life is, it’s been who I am.”